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Some history and interesting
facts about Sliema... |
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Sliema (or Tas-Sliema) is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a center for shopping, restaurants and café life. Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing village on the peninsula across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta, but now Sliema and the coastline up to neighbouring St. Julian's constitutes Malta's main coastal resort.
Sliema got its name from a chapel dedicated to The Virgin Mary under the title of Star of the Sea, which served as a beacon and a reference point to the few fishermen who lived in that area.
Sliema nowadays has a great deal of turnover of foreign expatriates who reside temporarily. The town was also the residence of the late Dr. George Borg Olivier, former prime minister and architect of Malta's independence as well as the birthplace of vocalist Marc Storace of Swiss heavy metal band Krokus. Sliema is Michael Mifsud's (Coventry City FC Striker) hometown.
Sliema has a number of churches - such as one dedicated to Jesus of Nazareth known as "In-Nazzarenu" and three dedicated to Our Lady - Stella Maris (which is the oldest and Mother parish church dating from 1878) the Sacre Cuor, and Mount Carmel, and another one dedicated to St. Gregory the Great.
Its football club, Sliema Wanderers is the most successful on the island, having won the domestic league no less than 26 times. They won the last three championships in a row. They are also the leading club in waterpolo, winning a total of 29 leagues. This is a clear indication that Sliema is a leading city in two main domestic sports on the island. Along with their upcoming young stars and immense support, there is surely more success in the Sliema football team as well as the Sliema waterpolo team.
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